It's almost to the point that the players will finally choose not to work for free
Money isn´t the only thing that gives you what you want. I think that what takes CJ to the "table" again will have to be more than that.
In whatever you do I think the payback you want will be slightly different when the years, growing etc will occur. I don´t think the "destroying the opponent" feel that many of the young players have last for so long for most and by then you need to find something else to achieve. The own will is the strongest we have to do things. Imagine a child that learns to walk, they just do it because they want´s it.
CJ - do find some challenges, run more racks than ever done before, set some new records in straight pool, one pocket etc. Beat the game, not another opponent. In other words - be a even better CJ at the table:smile:.
You do great in trying to explain how you like the game to be played.
, find the "zone" and press the record button:wink:.
I would think that it´s something that many players look for, a new challenge. Bring Corey if a opponent is needed, he needs some fresh air to put the energy into pool again I think.
It´s like looking at old Seve Ballesteros performance in golf, he couldn´t shoot straight but put him infront of trees in a sandbunker etc he would come up with something :smile: .
Some thoughts...
Chrippa
Yes, it has to be about more than just "short term gain" to play at that level, you can't really "fake it" or it's artificial and won't "hold up".
I think much differently than "normal" and don't believe pros should pay to work or perform their craft.
Before going into this let me be clear - I do realize many will say "it can't be done now', and others will say "it's too late" and pool has went "too far down" etc, etc, etc,.....So I will just agree and say "that's right, just keep doing what you're doing, maybe the results will change if your "try harder".
With that being said (sarcastic humor, I apologize) I'll share my philosophy that I had back when I played professionally and
currently -
My goal is to do whatever is necessary to get the Game back on TV in a way that appeals to the "masses" and generates popularity through a substantial viewing audience on a Major Network. This will be done for sure, it's just a matter of time, not only will I do it, I predict that others will do it as well......IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS. 'The Game is the Teacher'
Ok, back to the original subject:
I believe if you're a Top Professional you should only play on TV. Right now I see all the pros flock to tournaments that only pay the top 5 enough to make a profit. This is great for everyone BUT the pros because this diminishes their "demand potential". Let's face it, if we can see Shane, Corey, Mike D. for free why on earth would we pay to see them? I won't, and neither will anyone else (right now on PPV, Gate, Tickets,Appearances, Exhibitions, Lesson, etc).
If the only way we could see them was on TV they would be on a much higher "demand level" and be able to "write their own ticket" to play in non televised events. When I stopped playing it was at the top, I was the 'Player of the Year' in 96 and won the ESPN World OPEN, then was in the finals the next two years (finalist 3 years in a row). I refused to play in any tournament but a vary few that were non televised.
My value continued to grow AFTER I had quit for the first year. I started getting huge offers to play again, and "show up money," all expenses paid to tournaments, and sponsorship deals. I still refused to play, but that's not the point, the point is there is no legitimate business in the world that doesn't pay their employees.......except pool players.
Let's look at the "business" of professional pool like I do my restaurant. I invite 64 people to come work for me, but only pay them if they are one of the 10 best employees. How many people could I get under those circumstances? Certainly not 64....and probably closer to 10. One thing is certain, the ones that don't get paid that weekend would NEVER work for me again.
They would go somewhere that guaranteed them a fair wage for a reasonable amount of work.
This is not how professional pool tournaments operate, and as a result there are no "true professional pool tournaments" in the business sense. To be a legitimate business you MUST pay your employees (this is an example, I do understand "contract labor" and "tipped" employee situations) or it's illegal in most states (to not pay employees).
It's almost to the point that the players will finally choose not to work for free anymore and when that happens a "re birth" will occur. It's just like any "seed" it is really painful to become a plant, however, it's constant misery to stay a seed. I want to see the Game blossom, however, if this broken business model isn't changed it will continue to be in this dismal "holding pattern". 'The Game Deserves a Legitimate Chance'
